Bats dropping by the dozen from Cairns’ trees due to extreme heat #ClimateChange #StopAdani #ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateStrike #TheDrum #auspol #Qldpol #Heatwave

Flying foxes dead from heat stress at Murray St bat colony, Manoora. Photo: Daniel Bateman

THE extreme weather has been taking a toll on the Far North’s flying foxes, who are dropping by the dozen from trees — and causing a potential public health risk. 

Wildlife carers say they are struggling with the overwhelming numbers of bats becoming affected by heat stress in colonies in Cairns, Edmonton, Gordonvale, and Townsville.

In the Murray St Park in Manoora, Amanda Milligan and Jessie Smart from FNQ Wildlife Carers had set up a “triage” system, administering glucose injections and spraying injured flying foxes with water.

Jessie Smart and Amanda Milligan from FNQ Wildlife Care spray water over a flying fox that fell from the bat colony due to heat stress at Murray St, Manoora. Photo: Daniel Bateman

Ms Milligan, who has lived in Cairns for more than two decades, said she had never seen so many bats badly affected by the heat.

“As soon as it hit more than 40C, we had bats falling from the trees,” she said.

“Here (in Murray St) we had 140 dead on Monday and we’ve got another 40 today.”

She said they were desperate for other wildlife carers and volunteers to assist with either treating bats, or help clear and count the dead.

Jessie Smart from FNQ Wildlife Care injecting glucose into a flying fox that fell from the bat colony due to heat stress at Murray St, Manoora. Photo: Daniel Bateman

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has issued a public health warning, urging people not to go near sick or injured flying foxes.

Since Monday, there has been seven people who have been reported being bitten or scratched by bats across the region.

Tropical Public Health Services Cairns director Dr Richard Gair said a majority of these cases had occurred at the Cairns city library bat colony.

“We understand that over the last 24 hours, it’s actually bats that have been accidentally flying into people, rather than people trying to pick them up,” he said.

He said some bats may be infected with the potentially deadly Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV).

“ABLV is an infection like rabies, which can be transmitted through a bat bite or scratch, or

possibly through exposure of the eyes, nose or mouth to bat saliva,” he said.

Press link for more: Cairns Post

The previous record high for Cairns in November was 37.2C

We’re in our third day of 5C above the previous high record.

Catastrophic climate change has arrived and our wildlife are paying a terrible price.

The Great Barrier Reef will most likely suffer another bleaching.